Demonstrating the Faculty’s strong dedication to international engagement, the HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme has been established to facilitate a dynamic exchange of knowledge and ideas among scholars/researchers from the Global South, thereby enhancing our academic impact on a global scale. Fellows will receive support to visit our Faculty and engage in knowledge-sharing activities, fostering a vibrant academic environment that promotes cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
Applicants should currently be professoriate staff (i.e. Assistant Professor or above) affiliated with universities or comparable institutions in the Global South region.
Up to 10 fellows will be selected per academic year. Fellows are selected based on their research records and professional achievements, with preference given to junior scholars/researchers for their potential to commit to longer-term collaborations with the host Departments/Schools/Centres/Hubs in the Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU.
The visit should last one to three months during the fall semester (i.e. September to January) or the spring semester (i.e. February to June).
Each awarded fellow will receive a remuneration package consisting of:
- Economy class return air tickets of up to HK$10,000 (on a reimbursement basis);
- A per-diem allowance at a daily rate of HK$1,500, inclusive of accommodation, for the entire fellowship period in Hong Kong; and
- Visa application fee (on a reimbursement basis).
All other costs associated with the visit should be covered by the fellow’s personal funds and/or other funding sources secured by the fellow. Fellows are expected to carefully consider their financial arrangements for the planned visiting period prior to taking up the fellowship.
- Before submitting an application, interested applicants must identify and approach an HKU Faculty of Social Sciences academic staff member with similar research interests to explore potential partnership and collaborative research opportunities. The academic staff member should be at the rank of Assistant Professor or above and will serve as the applicant’s Faculty Associate during the fellowship visit.
- Applicants should obtain the written consent of the Faculty Associate before applying and include this consent as part of their application. Applications without confirmation of a Faculty Associate’s consent will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.
- To assist applicants in identifying suitable Faculty Associates more efficiently, a reference list of Faculty members interested in hosting fellows, together with their research areas, expertise, and specific topics of interest, is provided here.
- When contacting potential Faculty Associates by email, applicants are encouraged to use the subject line “HKU FoSS Global South Fellowship Scheme”.
- During their visit, fellows are expected to engage in collaborative research projects with the Faculty Associate and/or other Faculty members that lead to at least one co-authored publication within one year upon completion of the fellowship.
- Fellows are encouraged to take an active role to participate in academic-exchange activities within the Faculty, as arranged by the host Department/School/Centre/Hub. These may include participating in networking events, attending/delivering academic lectures/seminars, conducting sharing/training for undergraduate and/or postgraduate students, and contributing to intra-fellow exchange sessions.
- To ensure proper monitoring and auditing, the fellow is required to submit a completion report to the Faculty Office within 3 months after the completion of the visit. In addition, publication information should be shared with the Faculty Office in a timely manner.
Applications are normally invited twice a year. For the 2026/27 second round, the schedule is as follows:
- Call for applications: October 2026 for visits starting from March 2027 or later
- Application deadline: November 2026
- Result announcement: By the end of December 2026
Applications should be submitted via the online application form by the deadline specified below. Late or incomplete application will NOT be considered.
After the current round, the indicative timeline will be as follows:
| Semester | Recommended Visit Start | Call Opens | Deadline | Result Announcement |
| Fall | Late September or later | March | End of April | By End of June |
| Spring | Late February or later | August | End of September | By End of November |
November 22, 2026 (Hong Kong Time)
Email: fossres@hku.hk
To identify a suitable Faculty Associate, you can start by reviewing the reference list of Faculty members interested in hosting fellows, together with their research areas, expertise, and specific topics of interest. You may also contact the relevant Departments/Schools/Centres/Hubs to find members whose research interests align closely with your own. Once you have identified potential matches, reach out to them via email and provide necessary information/documents such as an outline of your research proposal and your CV. The suggested subject line is “HKU FoSS Global South Fellowship Scheme”.
Projects that align closely with the Faculty’s Strategic Research Themes and that demonstrate potential for significant academic impact are prioritised.
Your application should give information about your research expertise and professional achievements, and details of the proposed visit and planned scholarly activities, accompanied by your CV and a written consent from the Faculty member who act as your Faculty Associate. Incomplete applications will NOT be processed.
Fellows are expected to engage in collaborative research projects with their Faculty Associate and/or other Faculty members that lead to at least one co-authored publication within one year upon completion of the fellowship. They are required to submit a completion report to the Faculty Office within 3 months after the completion of the visit. Publication information should be shared with the Faculty Office in a timely manner.
Actively participate in all arranged activities, network with faculty and students, and seek out additional opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
While you would be titled as a “Global South Fellow” within the Faculty, you would be offered a visiting professorship appointment at a grade equivalent to your current position in your own institution.
Yes, you are required to obtain a valid employment visa before coming to Hong Kong to take up your appointment. Please follow the instructions provided at Visa Application – Onboard@HKU to submit your application for entry for employment as professionals in Hong Kong, as appropriate.
While you can bring family members, the fellowship’s remuneration package only covers your expenses. Additional costs need to be covered out of your own pocket. Your family members may also be required to apply for a visa/entry permit as per the immigration requirements set out by the Immigration Department. Please refer to their website for further details.
The per-diem allowances are typically disbursed on a monthly basis, directly to the fellow’s bank account via telegraphic transfer (TT).
Here is the list of serviced apartments near the University and the Central-Sheung Wan neighbourhood. The list includes essential information such as location, service package and room rates. The serviced apartment may also charge a deposit. You should always read the terms and conditions thoroughly before you rent so and refer to the serviced apartments’ websites for the latest offers.
Other options may include short-stay packages with hotels. While the per-diem allowance includes accommodation costs and fellows are expected to make their own arrangements, you may reach out to the host Department/School/Centre/Hub for advice regarding locations, transportation, and so on, to facilitate your preparation for the visit.
Yes, fellows will have access to university facilities, including IT services, libraries and computer labs, as needed for their projects. Additionally, they will be offered with a shared office space as arranged by the Faculty or the host Department/School/Centre/Hub.
